Kainen Boring would have been happy that his death would mean life for others, a family member said Sunday.

The family of the 17-year-old Bledsoe County football player who collapsed at practice Sept. 8 made the decision to donate his organs. The surgery was performed early Sunday at Erlanger hospital.

"I know this is something he would have loved to have done," his uncle, Charlie Boring, said Sunday.

"He was always giving. You hear people say that during a time like this, but it's true. He never really asked for anything. He wanted to be there for everybody else. I think it's really nice that he still can."

Kainen died from arteriovenous malformation, an abnormal connection between arteries and veins in the brain that usually forms before birth.

His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. CDT in the Bledsoe County High School gym. Visitation is from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at Putnam-Reed Funeral Home in Pikeville. See a full obituary here.

Kainen was the kicker for the BCHS Warriors. His coach, Jason Reel, had called him a "coachable kid" who was working toward a position as inside linebacker.

Charlie Boring said of Kainen, "all he lived and breathed was football."

He said the teen would come help his own sons with techniques for their Little League football games.

"He was a great kid. He'd come to their games on Saturday and watch them play, give them pointers," Boring said.

But Kainen was also dedicated to his faith, his uncle said.

"He really stressed with the other kids - get saved, know where you're going if something happens," he said.

That helps the grieving family, he said. "You have comfort knowing he's in a better place. It eases the pain but it never takes it away."

Kainen's family attends Cold Springs Baptist Church. Pastor Robert Pickett on Sunday said the teen was very active in the church's youth activities and "will be a missed part of the church."

Boring said Kainen's family is grateful for the prayers and support of the community and for anything positive that has come from their tragedy.

"They want everyone to know Kainen loved the Lord and loved life and would do anything for anybody," he said.

"If there's been anything good, we've seen other people down there at the hospital become saved because of this. Kainen is just rejoicing for that."